Weblogs

01/25/2010

This is another little story in my effort to bridge the
familiarity gap between the generations. Kind of telling tales to this Gen21
era about what it was really like Then; long before we had all that we have now.

When in college in the 1950s one semester I took a 3 hour
seminar course I needed for my degree given only on Saturdays. The class was
filled with a variety of students. One in particular I gravitated to was a man
I’ll call Bill.

Bill was a World War 11 veteran who spent eight years
pursuing his bachelors degree

While working full time; married with two children; a full
plate even for a man as determined as Bill.

It turned out that we would have many discussions at break time
and after class. Of all Bill’s stories this was the most incredible. Here goes,

Immediately after WW11 Bill had just married after being
discharged after spending three years in the U.S. Army, mostly in Italy. He
participated in ‘limited combat.’ A subject he would never discuss.

With his mustering out pay he got married and bought a used
’39 Chevy. They were living with his wife’s parents ‘until we could get
settled,’ Bill spent weeks on end looking for a job.

(Immediately after the war things were pretty tough. The
country was struggling to transition from a wartime economy; and it was slow
but determined.)

One Saturday Bill got in his Chey bought a newspaper and
began to scan the want ads.

Seeing once again nothing in the want ads for which he was
qualified, Bill scanned throught the paper. Then he saw a full page ad which
read ‘VETERANS,YOU’RE YOUR OWN HOME. NO MONEY DOWN,MOVE RIGHT IN under the GI Bill. Incredulous,
but having nothing else to do and not wanting to go home yet, Bill drove twenty
miles out of the city to the homesite.

The along the highway were big signs advertising and giving
directions to the site. Driving two miles off the highway on a crushed stone
road in what used to be farmland stood a beautiful pastel colored model home
surrounded by flags and balloons and small signs with words like ‘all
appliances’ ‘move in condition,‘’a new quality of life,’stuck in the sod lawn
that surrounded the model home.

The real estate was much to much for Bill. He anticipated
every timid question Bill could muster. Finally, he convinced Bill to sign what
was a contract of sale. Repeating, ‘You are a veteran. This GI Bill 100%
mortgage if for men like you! Bill did not believe it but figured he had
nothing, so he had nothing to lose.’ He left, stuffed the envelope under his
seat; decided forget about it because once they checked him out and found out
he had nothing, they would’nt bother him. And he certainly not tell his wife.

Four months later Bill had just started a new job and got a
call from his crying frantic wife. “Bill, what have you done. I have mail here
saying we bought a home. We are just getting back on our feet, we have a new
baby on the way and we just found a small apartment. What is this insanity?
We’re poor!!’ It Bill explained everything that evening. His wife’s response
was that they were to go to this new place and she would simply calmly explain
to the people their circumstances. “This part you leave up to me.I’ll get us
out of this”

So out to the site on the prescribed morning. Now the
surrounding landscape was filled with homes in various stages of construction,
which frightened her even more. “Oh my God. My husbands an idiot.’

The smiling real estate man greeted them and said everything
was ready for them. Being used to unbelieving couples, he gave his
well-prepared speech. Then pointed them in the direction of their new home,
accompanying them and taking genuine pleasure seeing this overwhelmed couple
inspect their new home. They returned, signed the paperwork that said their
first mortgage monthly payment of $63.50 was due in two months.

Three months after moving in, Bill got another frantic call
from his wife. “Bill, there are men here with bulldozers in the yard.” It
turned out to be the landscaping crew installing shrubs and a new lawn around
their home.

01/07/2010

I am always being on the alert for anything involving the generation
called the ‘Greatest Generation.’ I’m 77! No spring chicken. But I am still
making some moderate efforts to keep the body functioning.I swim. Been doing it 4 times a week almost
every week since ’82.

As I enter the facility where I swim, I walk past the basketball court
to get to the locker room. And many times over the past few years there are a
bunch of guys playing a full court game .(We used to call them ‘pick-up games.)
Being a one- time jock I often spend a few minutes as a spectator. The ages are
mostly between about 20 and 35 with one exception. At times there is a man
going up and down that court with a full crop of pure white hair, an
accompanying white mustache and very aged skin. Being an old guy myself I
fixate on him. I often speculated he is probably couple years younger then me.
Even though he lacks the agility he once had, there is no denying the great shape
he is in and he is a pleasure to watch. Each time he is playing, I have seen
the other players paying him a wonderful compliment; they simply treat him as
another player.

Last week I got there an hour later then usual. As I approached the
building the older basketball player fully dressed was leaving. So I had to do
it. I stopped him, excused myself and offered my hand, ‘Hi, I’ve been watching
you play with those young guys

and think you’re great still getting out there. And I am honored to
shake your hand!’

Without hesitation, I got a very firm handshake. With bright blue eyes
and a confident smile, he said, ‘I’m 89, still going and looking ahead!’

Ever since my childhood, that great generation of the 30s continues to
amaze me!!